Day Time Activities in LA

LA, like most cities offers the usual pastimes (putt putt, bowling, hike & bike trails, tennis, paint ball, etc). I am sure everyone that is interested in doing these type of activities can find what they want in the yellow pages. I am going to offer up some LA fun for you all.

Santa Monica is a great place during the day. We have FANTASTIC shopping on the promenade (3rd street). We also have the pier (Ferris wheel, bumper cars, etc). The pier and promenade are just a few blocks from each other. There is a really good Mexican restaurant at the end of the pier, and a bunch of dining on the promenade (from a mall food court to some really nice sit downs and everything in between). The promenade has a lot of street performers as well. Sometimes there are some good acts, but sometimes they are pretty bad. Also with in walking is the beach. The beach includes the boardwalk. On the boardwalk you can rent bikes, skates, etc. The boardwalk stretches out toward Malibu (too far to walk there though) then the other direction leads to Venice. It's probably just over a mile (maybe 2) from the Santa Monica Pier to Venice. Venice is great for people watching. We see some of the most interesting folks down there. Venice also has some shops and dining. A lot of people head to Venice to buy designer knock off bags as well, sometimes you can find them, but it's not a sure thing. Venice is also host to 'Muscle Beach'.

If you head north on the PCH (the highway that runs along the coast) you will come to Malibu. Depending on traffic it can be a 20-45 minute drive. Malibu (and Venice) offers surfing. You can rent wet suits and boards, as well as instruction. You can also rent kayaks in Malibu. If the surf is rough, they can be a challenge to get launched, but if the water is calm the kayaks can be a lot of fun.

If you head south from Santa Monica you first hit Venice, then Marina Del Rey. The wedding will be in Marina Del Rey, and I think most of our guest will be staying in Marina Del Rey. In Marina you can rent kayak’s, and it’s in a harbor so the wake is not a problem at all. I really enjoy kayaking around and reading all the funny boat names. Tim and I saw a big seal in the harbor one day. There is an area near the hotels to rent bikes and/or skates. The boardwalk that goes through Santa Monica and Venice does reach out to Marina Del Rey. If you are feeling energetic, you can take a long bike ride up the coast. Also in Marina is 'The Fisher Man's Warf'. There is not a ton of stuff here, a few touristy shops, and some good restaurants. This is where you rent the kayaks as well. If you have a full day (or at least most of one) you can rent a sail boat in Marina Del Rey and head up towards Malibu. This takes 4-5 hours, depending on the weather. You can also rent jet skis (I think).

If you have a full day to kill, Catalina Island is fun. You have to take a ferry (Long Beach is the nearest). The ferry is about an hour. Once you are there Catalina has great shopping, a candy store, kayaking, biking, golf cart tours (you rent the cart and drive it yourself), golf, and much more. Catalina has a large scuba community as well. There are not any full size cars in the pedestrian area, its all by foot or golf cart. There is a really nice beach and harbor here too.

Long Beach is a bit of a drive, but being that it will be near Halloween, I feel I HAVE to mention one more thing in LB. The Queen Mary. During October the Queen Mary has a big haunted house set up. There are about 5-7 different ones; these are the type you walk through and people jump out or come after you with chain saws and stuff. The haunts are not on the boat, but actually in an area in front of the boat. They also have a big dance area that a lot of people hang out after they go through all the haunts. I am sure all the ghost fan knows that the Queen Mary is said to really be haunted. There is said to be a lot of sightings in the pool area. We have not done this yet, but there is a special pass you can get that will actually take you on tours of the Queen Mary (I am pretty sure it includes the pool). There are restaurants and a hotel on the ship as well.

If you want to get off the water, there is plenty to offer inland as well. Beverly Hills can be fun to drive around and look at all the amazing homes. You can stop on Rodeo for lunch and/or shopping. We rarely buy anything, but the stores are fun to check out. The La Brea tar pits are near Rodeo (La Brea & Wilshire). We have not been to the tar pits, but I have heard they are pretty cool. Also Grey Stone Mansion is in Beverly Hills. A lot of movies were filmed here, and I just love this place. It's open to the public (sort of). You can park and walk around the gardens and decks, and see the great views. The house is normally closed up, but you can look in the windows. I just think its beautiful and peaceful to visit.

There is also Hollywood. At Hollywood & Highland there is a HUGE parking garage. You can park here and with validation (you can get it with as little as a coffee) I think its $4 for the first 3 hours or so. Grauman's is here (the hand prints and foot prints). You can see a movie at Graumans. I know you can see a movie anywhere, but this theater, as well as El Capitan (directly across the street) are really worth going to. El Capitan is a Disney theater and they normally have stuff before or after the show about the show (they had a princess tea party after Princess Diary 2, they had a skating rink for Ice Princess, etc). Grauman's doesn't have themes or anything, it's just an awesome place to see a movie. There is a big mall attached to the garage, and a VERY trendy LA style bowling alley (hidden around the corner). There is a wax museum, Ripley's, and the Hollywood entertainment museum in the block as well. We have gone to a few of these. Kind of boring and a waste of time if you ask me, but if you are into that sort of thing, by all means. Also in the block (in from of Grauman's) you can take Star Tours. Star Tours are apx 2 hours, and a lot of fun. The drivers will show you all kind of star homes and other star related locations. If you want to see how the star's live, you will enjoy a star tour.

There is also a few amusement parks in the area. Universal Studios, Disney Land, Lego Land, Knott's Berry Farm, Magic Mountain etc. If you want to visit one of these, you probably already know the one you want. I can't offer much on these other than that they are here.

Another fun thing to do during the day is catch a show taping, or take a studio tour. The studios are spread all over LA, some close to Santa Monica, some not so close. You can check online if you have show in mind to see if it is taping while you are in town. Most shows are free; they just require you to get a ticket in advance. If you don't care which show you watch, you can get tickets for what ever they have in front of Grauman's, or in Venice at little kiosk vendors. If you take the studio tours, I think you can get show tickets for shows taping after the tour as well. The studio tours do charge, but I am not sure how much.

LA offers a lot of museum’s as well. The Getty is really nice, I really like the garden. I have not made it to any other's yet, but I know there are at least half a dozen in the area. Just check online if you want to do a museum, I am sure you can find info on what each one will be showing while you will be here.

This should be enough to get you started for day activities. If none of these sound like what you are looking for, just Google LA and some key words closer to what you want. I am sure there is something for everyone.